Apparatus and method of securing compressor in refrigerator

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are an apparatus and a method of securing a compressor in a refrigerator. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method of securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the apparatus being capable of preventing the compressor from being separated from the refrigerator when the refrigerator is moved, such as during transportation of the refrigerator, and reducing a possibility of failure that may be caused by such separation. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: first and second mounting rods arranged to be distanced from each other; securing members coupled to the first and second mounting rods; and a reinforcing member coupled to the first and second mounting rods to be mounted on the securing members.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No.10-2018-0060985, filed May 29, 2018, the entire contents of which isincorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and a method ofsecuring a compressor in a refrigerator. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to an apparatus and a method of reliably securing acompressor in a refrigerator when the refrigerator is moved.

Description of the Related Art

As well known in the art, a refrigerator is an appliance which storesand maintains fresh food items. For this purpose, the refrigeratorperforms a refrigeration cycle of compression, condensation, expansion,and evaporation phases of a refrigerant to lower the temperature insidea storage compartment of the refrigerator.

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator includes a machine room 2 providedat a lower portion of a rear surface of the refrigerator, a compressor 4provided in the machine room 2 and for compressing the refrigerant of aphase of a low temperature and a low pressure into refrigerant of aphase of a high temperature and a high pressure for operating arefrigeration cycle, a condenser 6 causing the refrigerant passingthrough the compressor 4 to be heat exchanged with ambient air, and ablowing fan 8 causing heat generated in the condenser 6 to be removed byblowing action.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the compressor 4 includes securing parts 14provided at opposite sides thereof, and each having through holes 24 forsecuring. The compressor 4 is mounted on a base plate 12 of therefrigerator and the base plate 12 has holes (not shown) formed thereinand into which mounting rods 18 are inserted for mounting the compressor4. The mounting rods 18 are inserted into the holes and vibrationabsorbers 16 are positioned thereon and are capable of reducingvibration caused by the compressor. Furthermore, the securing part 14 ofthe compressor 4 is coupled onto the vibration absorbers 16. Herein,securing members 20 are adapted to be mounted for secure couplingtherebetween. An e-ring may be used as the securing member 20, which iseasy to attach and detach and provides a securing force.

However, usage of the securing member 20 (such as an e-ring and thelike) may cause unwanted and unexpected separation of the compressorwhen the refrigerator is transported. Such a phenomenon may causefailure of the compressor and may result in damage requiring maintenancework, such as compressor replacement and the like.

Thus, it is necessary to design a securing apparatus which is simple andeasy to mount while preventing the above-mentioned problems and thusenabling firm and reliable securing of the compressor within therefrigeration appliance.

The foregoing is intended merely to aid in the understanding of thebackground of the present invention, and is not intended to mean thatthe present invention falls within the purview of the related art thatis already known to those skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention have been madekeeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and anobjective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus forsecuring a compressor in a refrigerator, the apparatus being capable ofpreventing separation of the compressor in a secured state and thusfirmly and reliably securing the compressor to the refrigerator.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatusfor securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the apparatus being simpleand easy to mount while providing an improved securing force.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide anapparatus for securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the apparatusbeing capable of preventing separation of the compressor and thusfacilitating maintenance work.

It is to be understood that the objectives of the present invention arenot limited to the objectives described above, and other objectives notmentioned can be understood by those skilled in the art to which thepresent invention belongs.

The embodiments of the present invention for achieving the aboveobjectives and for performing the characteristic functions of thepresent invention are described as follows.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is providedan apparatus for securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the apparatusincluding: first and second mounting rods positioned at a distance fromeach other; securing members coupled to the first and second mountingrods; and a reinforcing member coupled to the first and second mountingrods and operable to be mounted on the securing members.

The reinforcing member may include multiple through holes formed througha surface of the reinforcing member.

The reinforcing member may include: a first through hole formed througha first side of a surface of the reinforcing member; and a secondthrough hole formed through a second side of the surface of thereinforcing member, wherein the first and second through holes may havedifferent shapes.

The first through hole may include: a first insertion portion configuredto allow the first mounting rod to be inserted thereinto; and a firstseat portion having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the firstinsertion portion, the first seat portion having the same diameter asthe diameter of a groove formed on an outer surface of the firstmounting rod.

The second through hole may include a second insertion portionconfigured to allow the second mounting rod to be inserted thereinto.

The second through hole may further include a second seat portionconnected to the second insertion portion to receive the second mountingrod therein.

The second insertion portion may be open from a side of the reinforcingmember.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a method of securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the methodincluding: fitting vibration absorbers over first and second mountingrods; mounting a securing part of the compressor onto the vibrationabsorbers coupled to the first and second mounting rods; mountingsecuring members onto the securing part coupled to the first and secondmounting rods; and coupling a reinforcing member onto the securingmembers coupled to the first and second mounting rods.

The reinforcing member may include a first through hole formed through afirst side of a surface of the reinforcing member and a second throughhole formed through a second side of the surface of the reinforcingmember, and where the coupling the reinforcing member may includecoupling the first through hole to the first mounting rod and thencoupling the second through hole to the second mounting rod.

The first through hole may include: a first insertion portion configuredto receive the first mounting rod to be inserted thereinto; and a firstseat portion having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the firstinsertion portion, the first seat portion having the same diameter as adiameter of a groove formed on an outer surface of the first mountingrod, and where the coupling the reinforcing member may further includefitting the first insertion portion over the first mounting rodvertically and then moving horizontally toward the first seat portion.

The second through hole may further include a second insertion portionconfigured to allow the second mounting rod to be inserted thereinto anda second seat portion connected to the second insertion portion tosecure the second mounting rod, and where the coupling the reinforcingmember may further include fitting the second insertion portion over thesecond mounting rod and then moving horizontally toward the second seatportion.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, arefrigerator comprises: a storage space for maintaining a temperaturefor food storage therein; a compressor; and a device for securing thecompressor, the device comprising: first and second mounting rodspositioned at a distance from each other; securing members coupled tothe first and second mounting rods; and a reinforcing member coupled tothe first and second mounting rods to be mounted on the securingmembers, wherein said securing members and said first and secondmounting rods are configured to secure a securing part of thecompressor. According to the present disclosure, there is provided anapparatus for securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the apparatusbeing capable of preventing separation of the compressor in a securedstate and thus firmly and reliably securing the compressor to therefrigerator.

Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, there is provided anapparatus for securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the apparatusbeing simple and easy to mount while providing an improved securingforce.

Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, there is provided anapparatus for securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the apparatusbeing capable of preventing separation of the compressor and thusfacilitating maintenance work.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to those describedabove, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly recognized bythose skilled in the art from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of thepresent invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view showing an interior of a machine room of arefrigerator;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a compressor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a reinforcing member according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7A is a view showing a first step of mounting the reinforcingmember according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a view showing a second step of mounting the reinforcingmember according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7C is a view showing a state in which the reinforcing member ismounted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Specific structural and functional descriptions of embodiments of thepresent invention disclosed herein are only for illustrative purposes ofthe embodiments of the present invention. The present invention may beembodied in many different forms without departing from the spirit andsignificant characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, theembodiments of the present invention are disclosed only for illustrativepurposes and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another element. For instance, a first elementdiscussed below could be termed a second element without departing fromthe teachings of the present invention. Similarly, the second elementcould also be termed the first element.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“coupled” or “connected” to another element, it can be directly coupledor connected to the other element or intervening elements may be presenttherebetween. In contrast, it should be understood that when an elementis referred to as being “directly coupled” or “directly connected” toanother element, there are no intervening elements present. Otherexpressions that explain the relationship between elements, such as“between”, “directly between”, “adjacent to”, or “directly adjacent to”should be construed in the same way.

Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals will refer to thesame or like parts. Terms used in this specification are selected todescribe embodiments and thus should not be construed as the limit ofthe present invention. An element expressed in a singular form in thisspecification may be plural elements unless it is necessarily singularin the context. The terms “comprise” and/or “comprising” means inclusionof a shape, number, process, operations, member, element, and/or a groupof those, but do not mean exclusion of or denial of addition of anothershape, number, process, operation, element, and/or a group of those.

Hereinbelow, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Securing a Compressor in Refrigerator

An apparatus for securing a compressor in a refrigerator according toembodiments of the present invention includes: mounting rods; securingmembers coupled to the mounting rods; and a reinforcing member coupledto the mounting rods and mounted on the securing members.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the mounting rods 18 are inserted into holes(not shown) formed in a base plate 12 of the refrigerator. A head 118side of each of the mounting rods 18 which faces the ground surface isshaped flat and wide such that a surface area of contact with the groundsurface is large. A bar 218 of the mounting rod 18 is substantiallycylindrical and is smaller than the head 118 in diameter. The bar 218may have a groove 318 formed at an end of an outer surface thereof forcoupling with the securing member 20 and the reinforcing member 40,where the groove has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bar218.

A vibration absorber 16 may be positioned on the head 118 of themounting rod 18. The vibration absorber 16 may have a hole (not shown)formed at a central portion thereof to be coupled to the mounting rod18. In other words, the mounting rod 18 is inserted into the vibrationabsorber 16 and both are brought into coupling relationship with eachother. Meanwhile, the vibration absorber 16 may be constructed from anywell known and suitable material such as elastic rubber and the like.

The compressor 4 is mounted on the vibration absorbers 16. Specificallyexplained, securing parts 14 provided at opposite sides of thecompressor 4 are coupled to the mounting rods 18, thereby resulting inthe compressor being mounted. For example, the securing parts 14 havinga thin planar plate shape protrude laterally in opposite directions fromthe body of the compressor 14. Each of the securing parts 14 hasmultiple through holes 24 such that the mounting rods 18 are insertedthereinto. The planar plated-shaped securing part 14 is placed on thevibration absorbers 16.

The securing members 20 are mounted on the securing part 14 to preventseparation of the securing part 14 and the vibration absorbers 16. Thesecuring members 20 may preferably be E-rings. However, the presentinvention is not limited thereto, and any well known and suitablesecuring member can be fitted over the mounting rod 18 in a lateraldirection thereof. Each of the securing members 20 is fitted and securedinto the groove 318 formed at an end of an outer surface of the mountingrod 18 such that the securing member 20 is coupled to the mounting rod18.

As shown in FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the present invention,there is included a reinforcing member 40 configured to facilitatesecuring of the securing part 14 and the securing members 20. Thereinforcing member 40 is a substantially planar-shaped plate member andpreferably has the same size and shape as the securing part 14 of thecompressor 4. However, the thickness of the reinforcing member 40 may belarger than, smaller than, or equal to the thickness of the securingpart 14 as required.

Referring to FIG. 6, the reinforcing member 40 includes at least twoholes. In other words, the reinforcing member 40 includes a firstthrough hole 42 and a second through hole 44 that are formed through thesurface of the reinforcing member 40 at a first side and a second sidethereof, respectively. It is preferable that the first through hole 42and the second through hole 44 be of different shapes. The first throughhole 42 and the second through hole 44 are coupled to the mounting rods18. More specifically, the first through hole 42 and the second throughhole 44 are coupled to different mounting rods. The mounting rod 18which is inserted into the first through hole 42 will be referred to asa first mounting rod and the mounting rod 18 which is inserted into thesecond through hole 44 will be referred to as a second mounting rod.

The first through hole 42 is formed at the first side of the reinforcingmember 40 and includes a first insertion portion 420, a first neckportion 422, and a first seat portion 424.

The first insertion portion 420 is configured to receive the firstmounting rod 18 which is inserted thereinto. In other words, the firstinsertion portion 420 is equal to or greater than the first mounting rod18 in diameter such that the first mounting rod 18 is insertedthereinto. The first seat portion 424 is configured to receive the firstmounting rod 18 which is secured thereto. In other words, the first seatportion 424 is approximately equal to a groove 318 of the first mountingrod 18 in diameter, such that the first mounting rod 18 is securedthereto. The first neck portion 422 allows the first insertion portion420 and the first seat portion 424 to communicate with each other suchthat the first insertion portion 420 and the first seat portion 424 arechanged in size.

The second through hole 44 is formed at a position opposite to the firstthrough hole 42 and includes a second insertion portion 440, a secondneck portion 442, and a second seat portion 444.

The second insertion portion 440 is configured to receive the secondmounting rod 18 which is inserted thereinto. In other words, the secondinsertion portion 420 is equal to or larger than the second mounting rod18 in diameter such that the second mounting rod 18 may be insertedthereinto. The second insertion portion 440 is inwardly open at a sideof the reinforcing member which abuts the compressor 4, and has a sizesufficient for the second mounting rod 18 to be movable toward thesecond seat portion 444. The second seat portion 444 is configured toallow the second mounting rod 18 to be secured thereto. In other words,the second seat portion 444 is approximately equal in diameter to agroove 318 formed on an outer surface of the second mounting rod 18,such that the second mounting rod 18 is secured thereto. In this case,the first seat portion 424 and the second seat portion 444 areapproximately of the same size. The second neck portion 442 allows thesecond insertion portion 440 and the second seat portion 444 tocommunicate with each other such that the second insertion portion 440and the second seat portion 444 are changed in size.

Hereinafter, a method of securing a compressor in a refrigerator usingthe apparatus described above will be described with reference to FIGS.7A to 7C.

Securing parts 20 are provided at opposite sides of the compressor 4 andeach of the securing parts 20 has first and second through holes 42 and44, and mounting rods 18 are inserted into the first and second throughholes 42 and 44. To distinguish two mounting rods 18, one of themounting rods that is inserted into the first through hole 42 isreferred to as a first mounting rod and a remaining one that is insertedinto the second through hole 44 is referred to as a second mounting rod.However, these are used for clarification and the first mounting rod andthe second mounting rod may be interchanged with each other. Theopposite securing parts 20 are secured in the same way, so only onesecuring part will be described below for ease of discussion.

A reinforcing member 40 is coupled to the mounting rods 18 in aconfiguration in which securing members 20 are mounted on the mountingrods 18. As shown in FIG. 7A, the reinforcing member 40 is placedobliquely, and the first mounting rod 18 is inserted into a firstinsertion portion 420 of the first through hole 42. Thereafter, as shownin FIG. 7B, the reinforcing member 40 is moved downward along a firstneck portion 422 in the direction of the arrow, causing the firstmounting rod 18 to be coupled to a first seat portion 424.

Thereafter, a second insertion portion 440 of the second through hole 44is fitted over the opposite-side second mounting rod 18. When thereinforcing member 40 placed obliquely is rotated in the direction ofthe arrow (indicating rotation), the second mounting rod 18 is insertedinto the second insertion portion 440 through a second neck portion 442,causing the second mounting rod 18 to be seated in a second seat portion444.

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions arepossible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventionas disclosed in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for securing a compressor in arefrigerator, the apparatus comprising: first and second mounting rodspositioned at a distance from each other; securing members coupled tothe first and second mounting rods; and a reinforcing member coupled tothe first and second mounting rods to be mounted on the securingmembers, wherein said securing members and said first and secondmounting rods are configured to secure a securing part of thecompressor.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing memberincludes multiple through holes formed through a surface thereof.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member comprises: a firstthrough hole formed through a first side of a surface of the reinforcingmember; and a second through hole formed through a second side of thesurface of the reinforcing member, and wherein the first and secondthrough holes have different shapes.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3,wherein the first through hole comprises: a first insertion portionconfigured to receive the first mounting rod for insertion thereinto;and a first seat portion having a diameter smaller than a diameter ofthe first insertion portion, wherein the first seat portion has a samediameter as a diameter of a groove formed on an outer surface of thefirst mounting rod.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the secondthrough hole includes a second insertion portion configured to receivethe second mounting rod for insertion thereinto.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the second through hole further includes a second seatportion connected to the second insertion portion to receive the secondmounting rod therein.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the secondinsertion portion is open from a side of the reinforcing member.
 8. Arefrigerator comprising: a storage space for maintaining a temperaturefor food storage therein; a compressor; and a device for securing thecompressor, the device comprising: first and second mounting rodspositioned at a distance from each other; securing members coupled tothe first and second mounting rods; and a reinforcing member coupled tothe first and second mounting rods to be mounted on the securingmembers, wherein said securing members and said first and secondmounting rods are configured to secure a securing part of thecompressor.
 9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the reinforcingmember includes multiple through holes formed through a surface thereof.10. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the reinforcing membercomprises: a first through hole formed through a first side of a surfaceof the reinforcing member; and a second through hole formed through asecond side of the surface of the reinforcing member, and wherein thefirst and second through holes have different shapes.
 11. Therefrigerator s of claim 10, wherein the first through hole comprises: afirst insertion portion configured to receive the first mounting rod forinsertion thereinto; and a first seat portion having a diameter smallerthan a diameter of the first insertion portion, wherein the first seatportion has a same diameter as a diameter of a groove formed on an outersurface of the first mounting rod.
 12. The refrigerator of claim 11,wherein the second through hole includes a second insertion portionconfigured to receive the second mounting rod for insertion thereinto.13. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the second through holefurther includes a second seat portion connected to the second insertionportion to receive the second mounting rod therein.
 14. The refrigeratorof claim 12, wherein the second insertion portion is open from a side ofthe reinforcing member.
 15. A method of securing a compressor in arefrigerator, the method comprising: fitting vibration absorbers overfirst and second mounting rods; mounting a securing part of thecompressor onto the vibration absorbers coupled to the first and secondmounting rods; mounting securing members onto the securing part coupledto the first and second mounting rods; and coupling a reinforcing memberonto the securing members coupled to the first and second mounting rods.16. The method of claim 15, wherein the reinforcing member includes afirst through hole formed through a first side of a surface thereof anda second through hole formed through a second side of the surfacethereof, and wherein the coupling the reinforcing member comprises:coupling the first through hole to the first mounting rod; and couplingthe second through hole to the second mounting rod.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the first through hole comprises: a first insertionportion configured to receive the first mounting rod for insertionthereinto; and a first seat portion having a diameter smaller than adiameter of the first insertion portion, wherein the first seat portionhaving a same diameter as a diameter of a groove formed on an outersurface of the first mounting rod, and wherein further the coupling thereinforcing member further comprises fitting the first insertion portionover the first mounting rod vertically and then moving horizontallytoward the first seat portion.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein thesecond through hole further includes a second insertion portionconfigured to receive the second mounting rod for insertion thereintoand a second seat portion connected to the second insertion portion tosecure the second mounting rod, and wherein the coupling the reinforcingmember further comprises fitting the second insertion portion over thesecond mounting rod and then moving horizontally toward the second seatportion.